Circus animal cookie cupcakes

It’s been so fun participating in the #SocialCircus this month, and as we inch closer to May, I have one more circus-inspired recipe to share with you—these circus animal cookie cupcakes! Ready for a bite?

While I’m in favor of homemade recipes, there are times, particularly surrounding the hustle and bustle of birthday parties or baby showers, when you just want to grab a cake mix.

For these animal cookie cupcakes, I grabbed my favorite cake mix, doctored it up a bit with vanilla and sprinkles and boom, cute funfetti cupcakes emerged from the oven.

I whipped up my favorite cream cheese frosting, but, you could certainly go easy and opt for the premade frosting as well. I won’t tell anyone!

I used a classic animal cracker/cookie for the tops of the cupcakes. I brushed the cookies with a bit of melted butter which brings out the features on the animals and gives the cookies a nice color and sheen.

Add a few hundred more sprinkles to the tops of your circus-themed cupcakes and you have the most adorable sweet treats.

Seriously, so cute, and they taste great. I do NOT know that because I ate three of them. Nope. Someone told me.

You can finish the look of your circus animal cookie cupcakes with these adorable big top cupcake wrappers that I found on Etsy.

These circus-inspired cupcakes are so easy to make, taste great, and look quite impressive if I do say so myself. Be sure to leave a comment if you incorporate them into your upcoming circus party or shower!

Also, be sure to check out my mini soft pretzels which are also great for a circus-themed party!